Taste Port Douglas 2016: Top Tips for the Foodie Freak

With only a few days left until Taste Port Douglas kicks off, the countdown is on! We’ve pulled together a quick guide on this flavour-filled festival so you’ll be in the know, ready to maximise your time eating, drinking and appreciating what Port Douglas and our region has to offer.

Pop Up Restaurant Marquee 2015

Pop up restaurant marquee in Rex Smeal Park.

Who?

The event will feature some serious chef talent from across the country, including industry pioneers such as Colin Fassnidge, Matt Kemp, Alex Herbert, Adam D’Sylva and our very own Nick Holloway from Palm Cove’s NuNu restaurant.

What?

Taste Port Douglas is THE foodie frenzy of the region – celebrating the culinary culture and lifestyle of Tropical North Queensland.

When?

This weekend! The event runs from this Friday, 12 August through to Sunday, 14 August. On Friday the day includes a Gourmet Golf Tournament followed by a series of dinners to be held across our idyllic seaside town. Hemingway’s Brewery for example will host the ‘Beer Loves Food’ dinner. Here chef Ben O’Donoghue will collaborate with BBQ King to serve up tasty treats matched with the micro brewery’s beers and ciders.

If beer isn’t your thing and you’re after something more refined, there are a selection of dinners to choose from, including ‘Big Taste: Sydney’ at QT featuring a four-course dinner with matching wines. For all the details on what’s on over the long weekend, visit the Taste Port Douglas website here or pick up a brochure from one of the many cafés, restaurants or bars in town supplying them.

Where?

In addition to the Friday events and dinners the main activity will take place at Rex Smeal Park over the weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday will be split up into ‘sessions’ with tickets available to cover some, one, or all of them. The first Saturday session will run from 10am to 4pm – and it will be bustling! Featuring more than 20 stalls there will be food trucks, pop up restaurants, craft beers, wines, spirits, live cooking demos from celebrity chefs, martini-making sessions, fruit carving, and much more.  The ‘Harry Hawker Street Food Party’ will keep festival-goers fed in the evening. Full details on what’s on during all the sessions can be found here.

How?

You’ll need to book and pay for any of the Big Taste dinners up front so be quick if you’re keen as spots are limited. But if you’d prefer to spend a casual arvo or morning at the festival grounds, it’s easy. You can either purchase tickets and your currency, known as food and beverage vouchers (FABs), at two spots at Rex Smeal Park when you arrive, or you can pre-purchase online to avoid the queues. There are plenty of ticket options of varying levels of benefits, including a ‘Gold Pass’ for the whole weekend. However, as the post-out dates for the tickets have passed once purchased online you’ll need to pick them up at Harrison’s Restaurant, located at 22 Wharf Street, between 10am – 2pm daily. Details here.

Aren’t able to make it for Taste Port Douglas 2016? No worries, the 2017 weekend has already been set as August 11 – 13. Add these dates to your calendar and we’ll see you next year!

Food
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Taste Port Douglas 2016: Top Tips for the Foodie Freak